Gaza flotilla<\/a> to date, in an attempt to break Israel\u2019s blockade of the Strip.<\/p>\nIt is the second protest flotilla for the Swedish climate activist, who has pivoted to anti-Israel extremism since the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. She is joined by far-left Portuguese parliamentarian Mariana Mort\u00e1gua, Irish actor Liam Cunningham, who has supported a cultural boycott of the Jewish state, and activists from 44 countries, who departed from Barcelona, Sicily, Greece and Tunisia.<\/p>\n
The Global Sumud Flotilla is described by the Barcelona Radical Book Fair, which broadcasted the departure live, as \u201chistory\u2019s largest international civil humanitarian movement to break the siege on Gaza, open a maritime humanitarian corridor and denounce the genocide against the Palestinians.\u201d<\/p>\n
A restricted meeting was held Sunday at the official residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss operational strategy against the more than 200 people participating in the flotilla. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and security personnel participated.<\/p>\n
Ben-Gvir propose to Netanyahu tougher measures as part of a deterrent strategy to prevent future flotillas. This strategy was reportedly formulated at a preparatory meeting hosted by the minister on Aug. 28 with top police and Prison Service personnel.<\/p>\n
The strategy includes \u201cdetaining the activists in terrorist-level conditions at Ktzi\u2019ot and Damon (for females) facilities\u2014lacking television or radio, without superior-quality meals, and involving prolonged custody rather than merely overnight,\u201d Israel Hayom <\/em>reported.<\/p>\n\u201cThe foundation for custody in these conditions, it was stated during the meeting, is their arrival to violate a restricted military area, plus creating documentation on each individual using photographs with terrorists and links to terror groups,\u201d the report continued.<\/p>\n
In addition, under the proposal, Israel will seize the vessels and turn them into police assets to establish a maritime force for police operations, which a judicial assessment has already shown would allow seizure of these types of boats.<\/p>\n
Israel Hayom<\/em> cited sources close to Ben-Gvir as saying that the \u201cgentle\u201d handling of previous protest flotillas failed to deter activists from trying again. The sources added that if the strategy is approved, \u201cfollowing several weeks at Ktzi\u2019ot and Damon, they\u2019ll be sorry about the time they arrived here. We must eliminate their appetite for another attempt.\u201d<\/p>\nIn June, Thunberg was detained<\/a> by the Israeli Navy during an attempt<\/a> to reach Gaza aboard the Madleen<\/em>, and subsequently deported.<\/p>\nOf the 12 people aboard the Madleen<\/em>, four, including Thunberg, agreed to be deported from Israel voluntarily, while all were banned from the Jewish state for 100 years, according to their attorneys.<\/p>\nUpon touching down at Charles de Gaulle Airport near Paris, Thunberg held a press conference in which she claimed she had been \u201ckidnapped\u201d by Israel.<\/p>\n
The Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson\u2019s Unit told JNS on Aug. 11 that the military \u201cenforces the security naval blockade on the Gaza Strip and is prepared for a wide range of scenarios, which it will act upon in accordance with the directives of the political echelon.\u201d<\/p>\n
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